Another fascinating round of NRL action begins on Thursday night with the Roosters battling the Storm. We have previews and betting tips of every match of Round 14 for you right here, with thanks to the team at All Free Bets.
Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm
Thursday August 13 | SCG | 7:50pm
Modern day rivalry reignites at the SCG with the Roosters taking on the Storm to kick off Round 14 action.
Despite an injury crisis, the Roosters continue to win games after beating the Dragons 24-16 last Thursday for their 3rd victory in a row.
Similarly, Melbourne smashed the Bulldogs 41-10 last Saturday but have lost another big name to injury for this clash in Cam Munster.
In team news, the Roosters get Josh Morris back from injury and Aubusson will move back to the forward pack. Meanwhile, the Storm have lost Munster to a knee injury. But they will get Papenhuyzen and Finucane back from a rest.
While the Storm upset the Roosters earlier this season, there’s no Cam Smith and Munster. So we’ll be looking for a close and low scoring game between two sides that value defence.
Tip: UNDER 36.5 Points @ $1.90
New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers
Friday August 14 | Central Coast Stadium | 6:00pm
Top of the table Panthers face the in-form Warriors on Friday night football.
New Zealand have hit form at the right end of the season with two straight wins and will enjoy the challenge against the Panthers.
Penrith sit atop the ladder after another impressive performance on Saturday night in their 28-12 win over Canberra.
In team selections, Jack Hetherington is out with suspension and Burr will come into the starting side. The Panthers are unchanged but might add Dylan Edwards as a late change.
The Warriors deserve a bit more respect at the line after two good wins and should be able to keep this clash fairly close.
Parramatta Eels vs St. George Illawarra Dragons
Friday August 14 | Bankwest Stadium | 7:55pm
Old foes meet at Bankwest Stadium with the Eels and Dragons going at it.
Last week, the Eels outlasted the Sharks in absolutely terrible conditions 14-12 and look to seal up a top 3 position here.
Meanwhile, the Dragons just couldn’t get past the Roosters elite defence last week and will need to win this game for any chance of finals.
Parramatta will receive a massive boost as Ryan Matterson returns from injury. The Dragons have regained Corey Norman in the halves and that moves Ben Hunt back to hooker.
St. George have covered the line in their last four Friday night games and should be able to keep up with the Eels in this matchup.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans
Saturday August 15 | Netstrata Jubilee Stadium | 3:00pm
Sharks and Titans meet once again in 2020 to kick off Saturday afternoon action.
In last week’s horrible Sydney conditions, the Sharks just lost to the Eels by two points but should enjoy the day conditions on Saturday.
Gold Coast were excellent last Sunday as they smashed the Cowboys 30-10.
In team news, Ronaldo Mulitalo will likely play after a HIA and Toby Rudolf is named in the starting lineup. The Titans are running with the same 17 as last week.
Earlier this season, the Sharks crushed the Titans 40-10. This time around, we feel both sides can score 20+ points in what should be a high scoring affair.
North Queensland Cowboys vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Saturday August 15 | Queensland Country Bank Stadium | 5:30pm
The Cowboys will be looking for an improved performance on their home turf against the Rabbitohs.
The Cowboys were pretty awful against the Titans last week as they went down 30-10.
South Sydney have won the last two games against the Broncos and Dragons so they’re well favoured to make it three straight wins.
For the home side, Drinkwater is back from injury and starts at fullback. That pushes Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to the wing and Justin O’Neill has been dropped. Souths get Jaydn Su’a back from suspension.
Hard to see how the Cowboys are going to stop the Rabbitohs on the outside throughout the 80 minutes so this could get ugly.
Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos
Saturday August 15 | GIO Stadium | 7:35pm
The embattled Broncos head to Canberra to take on the Raiders on Saturday night.
The Raiders will be keen to get back on track after a disappointing loss against the Panthers last Saturday night.
For the Broncos, it’s all about their off-field distractions and the playing group will need to show something in Canberra, otherwise this will get ugly.
There’s good team news for the Raiders as Havili has escaped serious injury. The Broncos will miss Tevita Pangai and Ben Te’o will come into the starting side.
The Broncos are generally a great bet on the points overs with their defensive woes and we feel the Raiders will take full advantage here.
Newcastle Knights vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Sunday August 16 | McDonald Jones Stadium | 2:00pm
Old rivals square off in Newcastle with the Knights hosting the Sea Eagles.
After two straight defeats, the Knights roared back into form with a 44-4 thrashing of the Tigers and their season looks to be back on track.
Meanwhile, Manly have lost back-to-back games against the Warriors and Panthers so they need a response on Sunday.
In team news, Daniel Saifiti will return from a knee injury for the Knights. The Sea Eagles will miss Addin Fonua-Blake. But get Thompson and Sironen back from injury.
Newcastle beat Manly by two points earlier this season and we doubt they can stop the likes of Ponga.
Wests Tigers vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Sunday August 16 | Bankwest Stadium | 4:05pm
Round 14 ends at Bankwest Stadium with the Tigers clashing with the Bulldogs.
The Tigers were simply outclassed by the Knights last week in a 44-4 crushing loss and this clash is a must-win now.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs were no match for the Storm last Saturday but would be keen to get off the bottom of the ladder.
In team news, the Tigers welcome back Reynolds in place of Walters, who’s injured his knee. Jacob Little takes over at hooker and Garner is back in the second row. For the Dogs, Kerrod Holland comes into the centres for Averillo and Cogger replace Lachlan Lewis.
While the Tigers beat the Bulldogs 34-6 this season, they have plenty of injuries at the moment and we feel this will fall under the 40.5 points total again.
Tip: UNDER 40.5 Points @ $1.90
For more free sports betting tips head to www.allfreebets.com.au where you’ll also find an independent review of PlayUp.
